Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1887-12-22
JINKSEY'S MISTAKE !;
And Eow "Billy" Found O Home
ct Cedar Farm.

"Say, Jinkeey, wot d. yer think Of that
fur style! / reckon she's come inter town
to buy the Liberty statue for somebody's
New Years present, an amt quite sure
how she'll carry it home"
Jinksey turned as his companion. arathei
,disreputable looking young gentleman in
the boot blackening business, thus called
his attention to a little girl about ten years
of age, who, with the most discOnsolate ex
preston of face, was coming timidly out
of the Grand Central depot. That she hac
never been in the city before one could
fancy from the alarm she exhibited at find
ing herself in the hurrying. bustling crowd
where the yells of the cab-drIvers drowned
even the rattle of wheels on the pavement
and made what, to ears unaccustomed tC
such noises, must have sounded like the
roar Of a supposed ogre in fairy tale.
"Wanter shines" Jinksey's friend cried
as he rushed forward in manner well cal
culatcd TO yet further confuse the fright
ened stranger, and pointed to her thick
shoes, which betckencd intimate acquain
lance with country roads. ''Give yer boss
shine fur a dime, an two tickets to the
Eden Museum thrown i'm
''Hold on, Bill! the lady's lookin' fur &
cab, an hasn't got any time to fool with
you," Jinksey shouted. as he pulled his
friend aside, and stepped forward with a
grotesque show of mock politeness as if to
lead her TO one of the many vehicles that
were ranged in line at the edge of the curb.
stone.
The little girl looked around in be-
wildered fear, seeking some one to whom
she could appeal for protection against the
rough-appearing and decidedly officious
boys; but in vain. The policeman had
other work on hand just then. and every
person near was soengrossed with business
or pleasure that frightened child was not
likely to attract much attention.
''Shall show yer the way to the Bruins
wick. or are yer waiting fur tho Mayor to
Gomez He's jest havin' swell dinner
with particular friend Of ourn, an Ireckon
hes forgot what time the cars get here"
and Billy concluded his information by
giving a representation to the best Of his
knowledge, of an Indian war dance, such
las he had seen at the Wild West show.
From the whirling, shricking boy to the
hurrying pedestrians the girl gazed in
pteous appeal until the big tears, which
had been standing very near her eyelids
when she emerged from the building be-
gan to run down over the checks which the
last wind of the Old year was tinging a
blush hue.
The sight OF the crystal drops. together
with the imploring glanceS, brought Master
Billy jackson to a s.andstill very suddenly,
and he cried N an angry tone as he swung
his business es Adjustment, represented by
a box containing backing and brushes,
dangerously near his friends head:
"Wot's Their use pickin' on little girl
what amt got nobody to take her part, Tim
jerks! Why don't you let her alone while
she finds whoever she's lookin' forr'
Il amt pickin' on her." Jinksey replied,
emphatically, for his conscience was prick
ing him very sharply because of the part
he had played in calling forth the tears.
"'Say, sis, tell us where you wanter go, an
We'll take you there, il il's plum over to
Hobokep."
The child walked on as If anxious to es-
cape from those whom she quite naturally
looked upon as her tOrmentors, and the
boys followed her contritely, each trying to
atone by friendly speeches for the distress
ne had caused.
''Don't cry, sissy: we won't cut up rough
any more an we wouldn't "a done it at the
start if we'd "a knowed you felt so bad"
Billy pleaded. after they had followed her
as far as Fifth avenue, and she stood on
the corner undecided which way to turn.
-''Where is it yer wanter goa"
grandfather wrote that he'd come for
me when the cars got in, and can't find
him anywhere. / was going home with
him to stay q week. and now he's lost
he's"
1t was as if giving words to her trouble
had caused it to increase, and she burst
into such a food Of tears that the boys
began in turn to look alarmed.
'.If You hadn't poked fun at her first I'd
never said word" Master Jackson cried,
reproachfully, and looking very much as if
he would like to whip somebody or get
whipped, as sort OF safety-valve for the
indignation which had been aroused by his
own behavior.
Jinksey probably realized that the reproof
was well merited. even though he had no;
begun tine cruel sport, for he made no angry
reply, as would have been the case under
other circumstances, but devoted his entire
attention to soothing the child's grief.
'See here" he said. as he laid his some
what soiled hand kindly on her shoulder.
''I'm mighty sorr: we made yer feel bad,
an we won't even zip ag'in if that'll make
it square; but if YOU could tell US where
you live. or where Their old mani mean
yer gran father-lives jest as likely as not
We could help you some.''
81 came from Saybrook, and grandfather's
farm is somewhere in place they call
Long Island"
Didn't you have anybody with you"
s'No: he was going toOmeet me at I've
depot, so mother thought 1 could come
alone" and now the grief was represented
by sobs, rather than tears, so consoling was
the show of sympathy made by her COM
panions. wv hat will do! How can find
himl'
"Jinksey an I'll have to fix that some
way; but don't know jest how yet. Wot's
yer name!"
DAISY Pratt. an I've got twenty-five
cents that are ali my own, tied up in my
handkerchief"
What" Jinksey screamed in astonish-
ment, ''you cryin' with that much money
in yer pocke:l Say! s'posen we all 60
down to Dutch Jake's, and have high old
supper, cause its the night before New
Years! That would make her feel better,
wouldn't it, Billy!"
sWot'er you talkin' about, Tim Jenksi
It's her gran'father she wants, not one o.
them fifteen cent spreads"
swell, If she can't find him hadn't she
better have good square support"
Master jackson cast one glance, which
was intended to be sarcastic, at his friend.
and then, ignoring him entirely, turned his
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